The true essence of Christmas

Endless giving and a very meaningful season....

by Umangi de Mel

Christmas derives from the words "Cristes Masse" or Christ's Mass. It's the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ especially for the Christians.

Most of us tend to forget the true essence of Christmas at the sight of all the showy glamour which is exhibited in every nook and corner. It becomes a shopping frenzy and merely an occasion to throw a party.

Although the X-mas spirit's very much in the air, only a handful of people claim to enjoy the season. It's true as many are totally unaware of the fact that it's that time of the year once again! Some are displaced, some even have to run for dear life... seeds of hatred are planted all over the country as well as in everyone's minds.

Corinne Almeida - Musician

X-mas of course is a time where it's known for giving, sharing and being together. Right now as a Sri Lankan the first thing we need is peace to actually happen. Peace has been something that's pending sans success.

People merely talk about it but nobody ever seems to want to put it to action. If peace happens, everything else will fall into place.

Of course people enjoy Christmas irrespective of the current situation but it'll be Christmas everyday if we could achieve what's in everyone's hearts. With the on going war situation, people think twice about getting out of their houses.

Christmas shopping used to be fun but now you hardly feel like going out. As a Christian, I feel that I should have the inner peace to do anything. The season may have its many wonders but the true meaning's lost thanks to the prevailing conflict.

Gi-gi de Silva (Public Relations - Colombo Hilton)

Basically X-mas is a time to remind ourselves of Christ's birth and reflect on the simplicity of life. His birth teaches us that there is joy in simplicity. He wasn't born in a palace or a hospital but in a manger, the last place where a great person is likely to be born.

To me Christmas is thus, a more spiritual thing. However, I feel that it's more commercialised now. It's like we've almost forgotten the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate it. It's a time for love and peace. Actually we shouldn't limit it to X-mas season. Giving and making peace should be done throughout the year.

So by remembering to remind ourselves of all the good things we tend to forget during the year we should be able to celebrate and have Christ in our Christmas.

Antoinette de Alwis - Musician

Christmas is a most beautiful time of the year. It brings forth feelings of affection and warmth. A time of family and friends and of course a time for giving, sharing good memories with everybody and find some quality time to spread love and forgiveness. X-mas also means big, big family reunions.

My family is a very important thing. I miss my brother who passed away recently but the season's spirit will hopefully ease my pain and help me celebrate its significance.

The season actually is all about giving and I want to do it not only during Christmas but at all times and as for other staff, I'm very much involved with my choir at St. Theresa's.

Nevertheless I'll miss those who are not with me physically like one of daughters Aruni but fortunately Ashanti's with me so, I'm able to make up my mind.

Geoff Fernando - Musician

Christmas has everything to do with children, peace and joy. A time to make time for your family and old memories. But the main thing is getting our country back to the paradise which it was.

The key words being peace and love, all of us should make an attempt to get rid of all the greed and hatred that's boiling inside us.

So let's hope that things change, and we could get our tourism too back.

Sohan Weerasinghe - Musician

To me Christmas is a time to spend time with family and loved ones. Both my kids who are abroad will be here to celebrate it with us. Anyway I've always loved the X-mas feeling. It's actually a time to think of all the less fortunate and the less privileged people and give till it hurts. I think we should make it a point to do our bits for them. And as a musician I'm busy at the moment but somehow find time to get together with my family.

Mallika Philips

Christmas is very special for me. It's a time where I get to spend a lot of time with family and friends. A lot of good memories especially childhood stuff keep coming to your mind and it's an amazing nostalgic feeling. Everyone's in such a good mood sharing, giving and enjoying the togetherness.

Christmas brings out the best in people. It's a real twist in life. Meetings, projects and other things in office and then comes X-mas where you can slow down, take time to appreciate things and people. It's also a wonderful time to take stock of what's important in your life and take it forward to the next year and reevaluate life.

To see if you can enough about your loved ones, without taking them for granted. In general people can be a bit nicer and more tolerant and not jump into conclusion.

Kanthi Ranchigoda

Christmas is the birth of our Lord. It means peace and giving. I believe in endless giving. Also it's a happy and a sad feeling where the chances of family reunions are sometimes good and sometimes the other way round. Nevertheless, it's a lovely season and an indescribable feeling.

To me it's nativity, Christ, mother Mary and Joseph... something very very meaningful. We start with the eucharistic mass. Some think it's gifts and parties but it's much more than that; the birth of our Lord, peace and giving. Especially a time to forget the differences and think about the less fortunate.